How to Apply

The Emily Couric Leadership scholarship of $30,000 is awarded to a senior girl attending high school in Charlottesville or Albemarle County. It is intended to recognize and encourage young women in leadership roles. All other nominees will receive a $4,000 scholarship. The Selection Committee has the option to additionally grant up to $5,000 to nominated students, not receiving the top scholarship award, who show unusual leadership roles or skills. The scholarships will be available to use within eighteen (18) months after high school graduation to help with the costs of the recipient’s college education or another approved leadership endeavor.

Principals from each school are asked to nominate one senior girl from the school. The individual nominated should demonstrate extraordinary leadership in her school and community. This young woman should be someone who stands out as an initiator, implementer, and problem solver. Top grades are not necessarily a contributing factor. We are looking for the MOST outstanding female senior leader in local schools who has the greatest potential for future leadership and influence or impact on society. The following criteria are considered:

  • A strong sense of initiative
  • Strong problem-solving abilities
  • Creativity
  • Motivational effectiveness
  • Excellent communication skills
  • A significant listening capacity
  • Inclusive, team building style
  • Proven follow-through performance
  • Effectual interpersonal skills

School nominees may download the application (Microsoft Word .doc or Adobe Acrobat .pdf). Each nominee must complete the questionnaire and resume with the required signatures and mail the materials to:

Sarah McConnell
1803 Chesapeake Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902

A Selection Committee comprised of community leaders will review all applications. Each nominee will be interviewed by the Selection Committee. The nominee will be contacted directly by an ECLF representative to schedule that appointment. The interview is the MOST important aspect of the selection process and it is recommended that all candidates are prepared as if they were applying for employment.

Nominations and all information pertaining to the school’s nominee and APPLICATIONS MUST BE POST MARKED NO LATER THAN JANUARY 6, 2012. Once a scholarship recipient has been selected, all nominees will be notified.

All nominees will be invited to and recognized at our luncheon event on April 24, 2012 at the Omni Hotel. Honored speakers in the past have included Emily Couric, Katie Couric, Rita Dove, and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Caroline Kennedy, Donna Brazile, Leslie Visser, Erin Gruwell, Kimberly Dozier, Anna Quindlen and Melanne Verveer.

If you have any questions about the Emily Couric Leadership Award, please feel free to call Mary Sherman at (434)823-2031 or email us. We thank you for your assistance in recognizing promising female leaders in our community.